This transcript from a 1987 “Ethics” home seminar documents a discussion led by philosopher Ladislav Hejdánek regarding the phenomenon of stupidity, intellectual responsibility, and the nature of inner and outer liberation. Drawing on Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s reflections, the participants explore stupidity as a moral failure rather than a cognitive deficit. They debate the “betrayal of the intellectuals,” criticizing the reduction of education to mere professional expertise devoid of ethical commitment. Hejdánek elaborates on his concept of freedom, defining it not as a carefree existence but as the courageous acceptance of responsibility within a given situation. He shares a personal anecdote from his time in prison, where he experienced inner liberation through direct confrontation with power. The dialogue also addresses figures like Socrates and Francis of Assisi, alongside the role of public idols. Ultimately, the text examines the interplay between external societal liberation and internal transformation, emphasizing active engagement with truth as the foundation of authentic human existence.